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Zhu Xi, drawing upon the ideas of the brothers [[Cheng Hao]] ([[1032]]-[[1085]]) and [[Cheng Yi]] ([[1033]]-[[1107]]), postulated a universe comprised of ''qi'' 氣 - the material/energy essence that composes all things - and ''li'' 理 - the fundamental guiding principle by which all things are what they are. He identified ''li'' as a "pattern" within the broader, more general path that is The Way (the [[Tao]]), and exhorted his students to understand the fundamental concepts of ''qi'' and ''li'', rather than simply studying how to behave; Zhu is quoted as saying, "Compare this to a person walking along a road ... If he does not see [the road], how can he walk on it?"<ref>Ebrey (trans.) in Ebrey, 173.</ref>
Zhu Xi, drawing upon the ideas of the brothers [[Cheng Hao]] ([[1032]]-[[1085]]) and [[Cheng Yi]] ([[1033]]-[[1107]]), postulated a universe comprised of ''qi'' 氣 - the material/energy essence that composes all things - and ''li'' 理 - the fundamental guiding principle by which all things are what they are. He identified ''li'' as a "pattern" within the broader, more general path that is The Way (the [[Tao]]), and exhorted his students to understand the fundamental concepts of ''qi'' and ''li'', rather than simply studying how to behave; Zhu is quoted as saying, "Compare this to a person walking along a road ... If he does not see [the road], how can he walk on it?"<ref>Ebrey (trans.) in Ebrey, 173.</ref>
===Metaphysics===
Zhu Xi posited that in the beginning of the universe, there was only ''li'' and ''qi'', swirling around in a completely amorphous form. As it came to swirl faster and faster, ''qi'' began to settle out in a material sort of form, the form of the five elements. The ''qi'' coalesced into Heaven and Earth, in accordance with the underlying principle, the guiding pattern, ''li'', with a motionless Earth at the center of the universe, and the still-moving, still-swirling Heaven around it. The Earth was formed chiefly from the element of water, as evidenced by the wave-like forms of mountain ranges, while the element of fire formed the stars, lightning, and wind.
In his conception, ''li'' contains within it humanity, propriety, wisdom, and righteousness, while ''qi'' consists of the [[five elements]]: wood, fire, water, earth, and metal. All things are composed of ''qi'', organized into a given form by the immaterial ''li'' contained within all ''qi''. Humans are, of course, composed of a balance of all five elements, and of both [[yin and yang|''yin'' and ''yang'']].
The universe, in this view, is thus indestructible. Heaven and Earth may be thrown into chaos, all physical material things breaking down and returning to swirling ''qi'' material-force, but ''li'' and ''qi'' themselves will continue to exist, along with the universe they comprise.
===Politics===
Aside from his more philosophical or conceptual teachings, politically, Zhu Xi was a powerful advocate for the inclusion of practical knowledge in the education and testing of Confucian scholars. Zhu Xi's attitudes and approaches were rather non-orthodox in his time; however, in later centuries, the civil examination system shifted, and embraced his approaches and ideals as the new orthodox method for studying, and applying, the Confucian classics.
Aside from his more philosophical or conceptual teachings, politically, Zhu Xi was a powerful advocate for the inclusion of practical knowledge in the education and testing of Confucian scholars. Zhu Xi's attitudes and approaches were rather non-orthodox in his time; however, in later centuries, the civil examination system shifted, and embraced his approaches and ideals as the new orthodox method for studying, and applying, the Confucian classics.